This interview is part of a series chatting with local business owners, artists, organizers and people in our community who are learning to adapt during COVID-19.
Erin + Adam Keats – Trenton Delicatessen
Describe your business.
We are a European deli, specializing in imports from Holland, Germany and the UK. We also have a top-of-the-line deli selection, with imported cheese and specialty meats.
What does working from home/your workplace look like for you right now?
Right now we have relocated our office to our dining room. We wanted to be able to spend more time together as a family while getting work done at the same time. We have a busy one-year-old at home, so running down to our office to take orders or do paper work wasn’t the best solution.
How have you adapted your operations during the pandemic?
We are now open for in-store shopping from Monday to Friday from 10 – 5, and Saturday from 10 – 3. Our customers can also order via phone, email or direct message. To assist with ordering, we have launched an online catalogue. The website is an ongoing process, so stay tuned for future updates coming soon! This past weekend we started working with a local delivery service. They have helped us deliver gift baskets and grocery orders. This has been particularly important for our local seniors and out-of-town customers ordering care packages for family members.
How have you been supported by the community?
The support we have received from our community has been incredible. We re-opened our doors for curbside pickup to help our customers fill their cupboards during the COVID-19 crisis. In turn, our customers have supported us right back. The phone has been ringing off the hook with orders big and small.
Many of our customers have gone out of their way to contact their friends and family members, encouraging them to place orders. Because of our community, we will survive this epidemic. We can not thank our customers enough for
supporting us.
What is something good that has come from this difficult situation?
Despite the hardships, some good has come of this difficult situation. We saw firsthand the love and compassion our community is capable of. They are supporting us and each other while ensuring there will be a future for the Quinte West economy. We have also had the extra time to work on projects, such as launching our new website, tackling landscaping at our home and developing a new business plan. Finally, spending extra time with our son has been a wonderful gift.
What advice do you have for other business owners at this time?
Stick it out. Adjust. Adapt. Also, explore the government grant and loan options. Stay afloat. We are all hurting, but we are almost through this. We will do this together.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
We must remember even though we are self-isolating we are in this together — from a reasonable distance, that is. Continue to support each other, including your local businesses. Support doesn’t always mean purchasing; it can be liking and sharing a social media post, leaving a review or sending an encouraging message.
Stay tuned as we share more local folks who are Makin’ It Work, and check out our weekly interviews (of the same name) on Instagram Live every Friday.
